Review Exercises: Module 2

1. What method uses a light beam to sense marks on machine-readable test forms?
-The optical recognition which uses a light beam to scan input data and convert it
with a electrical signal which are then sent to computer for processing.

2. Which input method is used mainly by banks for processing checks?

-The magnetic Ink Character Recognition that involves characters made of
magnetized particles, such as the preprinted characters on a personal check. Some
characters are preprinted, but others such as the amount of a check, are added by a person
using a MICR inscriber.

3. MICR stands for_ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __.

-MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character.

4. What is the function of ALU?

-ALU or Arithmetic Logic Unit, as the name implies, refers to the unit of CPU, where
arithmetic operation such as, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, are being
done. It is also where logical operation, the comparison of two or more numbers, are also
done.

5. Define software and describe its two main types.

-Software refers to the set of instructions or programs that cause a computer to
perform desired function. These two major categories of software are; System software and
Application software.
• System software - is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware
and to provide and maintain a platform for running application software. Examples of
system software are operating systems, compilers and interpreters, utility program,
performance monitoring software and communication software.
• Application software - is computer software designed to help the user to perform
singular or multiple related specific tasks. There are two types of application software
namely; package and custom made.

6. What are the functions of system software?

 -These are programs designed to manage functions of the computer. These
programs that help people write and execute other programs.

7. What are the functions of application software?

-These are software that can be used to solve a particular problem or to perform a
particular task.

8. What is the main function of system analyst?

-Responsible for studying the requirements of the company is computer-based
applications, specifying their design, and developing appropriate systems documentation.

9. Discuss the difference between input/output devices from input/output media.

-When we say input/output ³media´, we are referring to products such as magnetic
tapes, papers and diskettes where data are being transcribed or recorded (saved). The term
input/output devices, means the physical equipment that reads the data from the media used
or write (saved) data on the media.

10. What are the responsibilities of a computer programmer?

-The individual who fulfills the job role of computer programmer is one who writes
and develops various programs relating to the use of the computer. He develops, writes,
compiles, tests, and develops program logic; analyzes program specifications provided by
the system analyst; and prepares programs documentation.